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Henry Doorly Zoo
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Cinema Active Life Zoos Cinema, Zoos [Edit]
3701 S 10th StOmaha, NE 68107
(402) 330-4629
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
71 reviews for Henry Doorly Zoo
71 reviews in English
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Review from Maggie F.
10/2/2011
Love it!
I can seriously appreciate the thought & planning that has gone into this zoo :) The landscape recreations are just as good as the animal visibility! There seems to be a lot of work still being done, but what is there already is very much worth a visit! My favorite areas where the Rainforest & the Desert Dome :)
Also, a visit is not complete without watching one of their IMAX movies! The only reason I would say you should skip this part would be if you have little kiddos who find it hard to sit still for the length of the movie.
The rates for both the zoo & IMAX movies are ridiculously reasonable!
We went with the zoo entrance fee PLUS 1 IMAX movie for a total of $17.50 each :) -
Review from Matt M.
2/4/2012
Omaha is famous for this zoo. The set up, animals, and exhibits are second to none.
The definite highlights of this zoo include the desert house that has an AWESOME alligator exhibit on the lower level that is in the pitch black on an old wooden walkway. Also, the pond/lake is large and has a lot of koi you can throw food (charges apply).
I saw only one downside to this zoo - no elephants. Apparently one of them kicked the bucket and they didnt want the other one to be down in the dumps so they shipped it off. Although this is a smart move, you have to replace them ASAP if you are going to be world class.
Replace the Elephants Henry Doorly and I'll give you the 5th star. -
Review from Neko C.
12/13/2011
I honestly was not expecting much when my husband and I came here while on our road trip from San Diego, CA to Dayton, OH. After all, I had grown-up going to one hell of an amazing zoo (San Diego Zoo ftw!) and this was just some zoo in Nebraska that was famous for having the most amount of animals. In my mind, quantity was not gunna beat out quality. Then, I went here. And was very surprised with the quality I found.
Of all the things I saw here, my favorite two exhibits, hands down, were the Desert Dome and the Kingdoms of the Night. The Desert Dome was a very well-thought out exhibit. It is a walk-through exhibit in which you get a chance to see a variety of animals from three of the World's desert: the Namib Desert (southern Africa), the Red Center (Australia), and the Sonoran Desert (southwestern US). I really liked the fact that you were walking through each type of desert environment, complete with a wide array of native flora. It added to the effect of being transported to these places and seeing the animals in their native habitats. Very cool :)
Under the Desert Dome is the Kingdoms of the Night- this exhibit really blew me away. When they say World Largest Nocturnal Exhibit, they are not kidding. And the best part- they are active! Since the exhibit is kept very minimally lit, these guys are actually awake and doing their thing. I have never seen so many active nocturnal creatures, ever. Especially bats- this place has an amazing collection of bats. It was especially exciting to see them flitting and flying around. Super awesome exhibit :)
Overall, if you are in Omaha, or planning to visit it, you have to check out this Zoo! Not only does it have some great exhibits, it's only $13.50. Can't find a great attraction for that cheap very often, nowadays. -
Review from Ray M.
Omaha, NE
1/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
Grand Canyon show was great for kids and adults. Short, but just right for little ones.
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Review from Marie B.
Omaha, NE
1/25/2012
One of the top rated zoo. I'm always surprised by the exhibits and upkeep. The imax movies are also a great part of the adventure!
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Review from Lou H.
Pleasanton, CA
9/15/2011
I have been to some cool zoos, San Diego and Sydney, Australia but this place of all place in Nebraska is super impressive!
You can't beat the price, it's like 13.50 for adults and the parking was free. Of course you can pay more to access the trains, trams, chair lifts, and IMAX stuff that all zoos seem to have. But if you're like me and you don't mind walking around and exploring things by foot, get that basic general admission.
The desert dome was really cool. It's huge and it twists down underneath the ground, which I did not expect. That was the coolest thing because they have a swamp inside there and it's really dark and you walk along this pier thing. There are lots of alligators and things like that in there and it reminded me the the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland.
They also just opened a couple of new rhino exhibits. One of the rhinos came from the San Diego Wild Animal Park, where I saw him while visiting San Diego earlier this year. He seems to be doing great in Omaha's huge new rhino compound.
Henry Doorly is a world-class zoo, definitely work the stop and a great value! -
Review from Phillip Y.
Des Moines, IA
7/29/2011
I drove 2.5 miles from Des Moines to see this place. It is everything the brochure advertised and more. This zoo has a wonderful layout which takes about 3 hours to fully appreciate it all. Here are the highlights.
- Desert Dome
- Aquarium
- New IMAX Theaters ($$)
- Butterfly House
- Madagascar Exhibit House
- Cat Exhibit House
- Primate Exhibit House
- Bear Exhibit House
- Giraffee Exhibit House
- Sea Lion Pavilion
- Rhino Grounds
- Petting Animal Farm
- Skytram Ride ($)
- Railroad Train Ride ($)
- Tram Tourmobile Ride ($)
- Carosel Ride ($)
- Aviary Boardwalk
- Floral Gardens
- Jungle Rainforest House
- Lemur Sanctuary Treehouse
$ = small extra fee
$$ = moderate extra fee (discount with ticket combo deal)
There is also a newly renovated restaurant sponsored by Omaha Steaks. So, this place has so many things to explore. Take your time and try to see a show as well. -
Review from Katie D.
Kansas City, MO
7/20/2011
The Henry Doorly Zoo is definitely one of the best zoos out there. Who doesn't love the excitement and childhood thrill of seeing a real ferocious lion or swinging monkey from a tree? This zoo amazes all age ranges, including yours truly.
I've never said "Whoaa!" so many times in my life than when visiting Henry Doorly Zoo. I can't even count how many times I stood in amazement over the animal exhibits with my jaw dropped.
The prices are super cheap for the amount of mental stimulation you're receiving in an educational environment. It's only $11.50 for adults, you can't beat that! They have all sorts of exhibits sprawling across their zoo campus.
There's the Desert Dome which is the world's largest indoor desert, they have their IMAX theater, indoor aquarium which is unbelievable (insert !!!), the safari park, the beautiful butterfly pavilion, and so much more.
The Henry Doorly Zoo is the reason why I made the short road trip up to Omaha from Kansas City. I'd say this attraction is the highlight of Omaha, which brings in most of it's tourism revenue via the zoo. I was in amazement the entire duration of the visit, and all of the animals seemed to be well taken care of by their zookeepers, which makes this animal lover very happy. I can't/won't support cruel treatment from zookeepers.
I loved this zoo and would definitely make the trip back up to Omaha just for the zoo! -
Review from David A.
5/11/2011
Out of the dozens of zoos I've seen world wide, this zoo and San Diego's are my favorites.
This zoo tends to mix it's animals up and not separate by species, which makes it a bit more like a true ecosystem.
It's rather large, the price is right, and there is just so much to see! Fun for all ages. I can't recommend this highly enough. Who'd think....OMAHA????? -
Review from Matthew O.
Homestead, FL
6/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Probably the best zoo I have ever been to. I liked how the exhibits were laid out by ecosystems. The chairlift was a nice touch, it was a fun way to view the animals, although I saw some giraffes hanging out with some penguins. That was kind of weird.
We enjoyed an Imax movie while there and the theater was great!
The only thing I would change if it was my zoo is ban strollers from all buildings. The stroller jams got a little irritating. Maybe banning kids would be a better solution. I don't know.. -
Review from Kelsee I.
6/28/2011
Had a WONDERFUL time at this Zoo! Sadly, I visited when it was cold and snowy out, so some of the exhibits were closed, but we still got an amazing experience!
First thing, there are peacocks roaming the grounds, which was so cool. We visited the rain forest exhibit (nice to get out of the cold) and it was incredible. There were so many different animals to look at. We spent a minute in the desert exhibit, but I'm from Phoenix, AZ - really wasn't what I wanted to see. haha
We also got to go inside to see some of the animals that would normally be in larger exhibits, but it was too cold outside. Giraffes, Gorillas, it was awesome.
We got so many great photos here and had a wonderful time. The best part, too, is that the animals actually seemed happy here - unlike some other zoo's I've been to! -
Review from Christina M.
Lawrence, KS
4/14/2011 11 photos
One of my earliest childhood memories is of a favorite t-shirt of my mother's, which I was privileged enough to get to wear as a night shirt on many occasions growing up in Wyoming. It was a well-worn article, a deep pink color and velvety-soft from dozens of trips through the washing machine, and it featured four adorable pandas gamboling across the chest. Written underneath the pandas were the words "Omaha's Famous Henry Doorly Zoo."
I was born in Omaha, and according to my mother was actually taken to the zoo when I was a baby, but of course I don't remember this at all. We moved when I was less than two, and it would be eighteen years before I would actually return to the zoo and see the place I had been seeing advertised on my mother's shirt my entire life.
I went to the zoo in 2005 with my college zoology class. My professor had a friend who worked there, so it was a traditional field trip for his students each semester. We arrived on a cold day in late November, so our exposure to the animals was less than stellar, since many of them were off exhibit or tucked away in a warm spot in their habitats at the time. Still, I read up on the animals housed there and did some research when I returned home to learn more about their conservation efforts, and I was duly impressed.
Last year, the boyfriend and I returned in May for a day trip, and I was able to appreciate the full experience.
Possibly the most impressive part of the zoo is the Desert Dome, which is easily visible from the highway at least a mile outside the city. It's billed as the "world's largest indoor desert," and it houses species from three different deserts across the world. When I went on my first adult visit with my zoology class, we actually got to go behind the scenes inside the dome and view some of the animals being treated by the zoo's veterinary team. It is definitely a very sophisticated exhibit, and worth seeing all on its own.
My personal favorite section of the zoo was the Cat Complex. I have always been very passionate about tigers, and their complex houses three subspecies: Amur (Siberian), Indochinese, and Malayan. Through the last few decades, the zoo has done a lot to protect the tiger from extinction, including assisted breeding programs, and has also put a lot of effort into improving the gene pool in white tigers by breeding them with heterozygous cats, reducing the rate of birth defects and health problems. The habitats are small, but it is the largest big cat breeding facility on the continent. It would be impossible to recreate the space a tiger normally inhabits in the wild, and I really feel that the benefit the zoo does to the species outweighs this disadvantage.
It should be mentioned that, as a rule, I dislike zoos in general. I find that most of them have pitiful habitats and are exploitative in the extreme. There are few exceptions to this, but Omaha easily made it to the top of that list. I will definitely be returning.
Sadly, Mom's shirt fell apart in the wash many years ago, but I'll unashamedly admit that, after having visited the zoo twice in my adult years, I have actually spent a good chunk of an evening searching eBay for another one.Listed in: Four Legs Good
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Review from Brittany S.
Omaha, NE
5/11/2011
The Henry Doorly Zoo is amazing, with tons of things to see and do! My husband and I have a zoo pass, which is the best deal if you live in Omaha and visit often. For $75 (not 100 percent sure if that's the correct price), you can go to the zoo and the connected IMAX as much as you want throughout the year.
While more animals may be out and about in the spring and summer, winter is a great time to see the indoor exhibits, such as the desert dome and the rainforest. Hardly anyone is there during the winter, so you can spend as much time as you want looking at each animal!
The Henry Doorly zoo is a must-see if you're visiting Omaha! You won't be disappointed! -
Review from Thia R.
Omaha, NE
3/8/2011
I wish I could give this zoo more than 5 stars.
I've been coming here to this specific zoo for my whole life. My parents came here while I was still in the womb, and now 20 years later, I still come here. It's definitely a weekly thing for me. Sometimes I come with my mom, other times I come with my boyfriend, and sometimes, I just come alone. I can give you a tour of this zoo in it's entirety with my eyes closed walking backwards.
Every exhibit is unique in it's own way, and lately they've added lots of new features. For example the Skyfari (The ski lift thing is a new thing) and one of the exhibits is new.
My favorite exhibit would have to be the Lied Jungle. You have your entire Amazonian jungle at your fingertips. You have Asian jungle, African jungle, Australian jungle, you have your 'Tree Tops Restaurant' where you can see the entire jungle like, right beneath you. The smells, the humidity, the sounds, it's like you're in a real authentic jungle. Honestly, if I could just kick everyone out and lock the place up I would move in there. But that's just me, I like tropical jungles and stuff and I would have no problem sleeping right there behind one of the many waterfalls they have. You have monkeys running loose, birds flying everywhere and the only thing that makes it seem like a 'zoo' is all the tourists with their camera's and some of the more 'dangerous' animals behind glass.
Anyways, that is by far MY MOST FAVORITE exhibit.
My second favorite exhibit is the Kingdom of the Night where it's a swamp. An awesome swamp. It's dark and you have to use your instincts just to get around the place. There's some light here and there, but basically you have to watch your step. You've got your owls, alligators, beavers, and you're walking on this deck type maze over open water where you have your wild life right beneath your feet. Doesn't matter the season outside, in this exhibit it's pretty warm, kind of humid, and there's a cool breeze. Like a warm summer night. You can hear crickets, alligators, and other nocturnal animals.
The aquarium is awesome but not my favorite. The only reason I can't stand it is because there's this amazing underwater tunnel with sharks and stuff and it's just so amazing, but then you have all your fat guests with their baby strollers stopping in the middle of the tunnel taking pictures and chatting with other fat moms about their day and stopping traffic it's highly, HIGHLY annoying when you're trying to walk through. Another thing that annoys me is that you have roudy little kids screaming, 'I FOUND NEMO!!!!!' 'OH LOOK IT'S DORY!' it gets very old. Especially after hearing the same thing over and over for the last 8 years since Finding Nemo came out.
I basically try to avoid the Aquarium at all costs unless I'm positive that it's a week day morning where I know parents are at work, and kids are in preschool/school. Tuesday mornings (like 8 AM) are the best time to go.
The Desert Dome is fantastic. Not as hot as a desert, (Thank GOD) but nice and warm, and I give THANKS because the trails are a little thin and again you have your morbidly overweight house moms with their quadruple strollers stopping traffic and stuff. Again I try to avoid.
All of the outdoor exhibits are extremely fascinating and definitely worth the trip. You have to see for yourself. You won't be disappointed. -
Review from Michelle E.
McKinney, TX
6/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
So when in Omaha there are a couple of musts: The College World Series and the Henry Doorly Zoo.
My friends and I got there early and was able to see the majority of the exhibits without be over run by bratty kiddos. I would suggest this strategy to avoid bus-loads of screaming children. By noon or 1pm the kids come rolling in from every section of the city.
There is also and Imax theater next door to the zoo. They have a great big cats, gorillas, penguins, desert dome and nocturnal exhibits. I also rode the sky lift chair across the zoo for $4. It gives you a great view of the park and a little thrill at the same time. -
Review from Margie W.
CA
6/22/2011
People might think it's strange to recommend a zoo, especially to non-parents. But seriously, Henry Doorly will change your mind about what a zoo can be. I've been overwhelmingly disappointed by every zoo I've been to in contrast to Henry Doorly.
It's possible to have a good long visit to the zoo, and cover only a third of the exhibits. I do, however take my time to really see the animals. I suppose if you rushed, you might be able to get through the whole zoo in a day. But why?
Well worth a stop when visiting Omaha, especially midday on a weekday. The strollers can be a bit overwhelming on weekends. -
Review from Calvin Y.
PROJECTILE. VOMITING.
That's right. While we were in the Gorilla Valley, we saw a gorilla vomit and then its roommate rushed over and started eating it. (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
It's like the TV show/movie franchise, Jackass, but if it were to air on Animal Planet.
Other highlights include:
+ Playful animals. See the BEST PICTURE EVER here: (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
+ Butterfly/Insect Pavilion which contains Madagascar Spiders spinning their webs freely above your heads. (Great if you're traveling with an arachophobic individual!)
+ The Swamp Room which is so muggy and authentic that you feel like you're really in the lagoons of the South. The alligators swimming underneath the floating bridge also adds the extra WOW factor.
+ The Indoor Jungle which features a bird that has hair like Willow Smith, but he didn't whip it back and forth though. (SEE: http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
+ Peacocks roaming the roadways freely (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
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NOTES for the Winter:
+ The Train and Skyfari were both off
+ The zoo was pretty open and not crowded! There were about 10 other visitors in each of the exhibit buildings.Listed in: The Omaha Rundown
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Review from Jeff P.
Columbus, OH
9/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great tourist spot, especially for Nebraska...sorry, but it's true. We went on Labor Day, we knew what we were getting into...long lines and a lot of kids. We just snaked our way around everyone. But, the zoo was very rewarding. They had a lot of gorillas...bears...birds...petting zoo...swamp scene...desert scene...rainforest scene...big cats...prairie scene...rhinos...I'm sure I'm missing more. The desert area and underground "nocturnal" area would have been great if it weren't for the plethora of strollers backing everything up...it's so narrow, I can't believe they let people take tractor-trailer sized strollers and coolers through this narrow path... Anywho, it was a good time with plenty of exhibits.
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Review from Joi B.
7/23/2010 1 Check-in Here
Probably one of the best zoos I've ever been to!
I should note that I have more often not been horribly depressed by zoos, even ones that other people tend to like (the San Diego Zoo, for starters), so I tend to just not go to them. Although I had heard that the Omaha Zoo had large, natural habitats for the animals, I went in with some trepidation because I had heard that before and it turned out not to be the case.
For the most part at the Omaha Zoo, it's true, though I am not sure if you could say that for some of the tigers (unless hopefully they let them out of their more contained areas. At least that's what I tried to make myself believe). Regarding the cat cave area, when you enter it, be prepared to feel like you just stepped into a giant litter box because it really has a strong odor. Force yourself to go in, though, because it sure is amazing to be face to face with these stunning animals. A very unique and exciting experience for me. Almost transcendental, in fact. I love tigers (now I'm reminded of the Neko Case live album...sorry for the digression).
My favorite area was probably the lemur jungle (amazing! and yes, seemed like they had the run of the land).
Other cool stuff:
-roaming peacocks and peahens
-the swamp/bayou exhibit is really an authentic and unique touch, though those gators lurking around right underfoot scared the bejesus outta me! It was probably the most *real* experience I've ever had at a zoo or aquarium. I mean, I was truly frightened they'd jump up to the rickety planks we were walking on and kills us. Am I just a wimp? Possibly.
-the aquarium is truly spectacular
and of course:
THE PENGUINS!! This may sound terribly mundane, but how can you not squeal with glee at the site of them! You can see them from three levels, so that you can watch them under water, too! I probably could have stood there for an hour watching them dive, swim and play with each other.
One uh, odd thing: not sure if the live feed of a bunny to a leopard was intentional or a sad accident for the bunny. I doubt it was intentional as let's be real, this place is crawling with kids and I don't think most kids are ready to see the rabbit they were just admiring a few feet away in another exhibit as being lunch for the leopard. Of course, *I* got to see this sorry accident and it's still haunting me (not as much as the time I came across a hawk killing a kitten, but still). Yeah, yeah, I get it, it's nature and the food chain and all that. Whatever. I just don't necessarily feel like having a front row seat to a bunny being slowly chewed on by a predator without a warning or something. Did I not say earlier that I'm a wimp? -
Review from Krissy m.
10/20/2010
Wowza!
Sure, I know I am not 5 years old anymore, but when my husband - who rarely is impressed - told me that the zoo in Omaha was a really nice one, I was super excited to visit there!
We were visiting during the College World Series, so we were worried that the zoo would be really busy - fortunately, it was just the surrounding area that was congested, so no biggie! We parked about a mile away, in a public park, and hoofed it (haha, getting into theme, you know!) past the many colorful neighborhoods on the way to our destination.
Entering the gates, I was immediately impressed by the sentiment behind the architecture and planning of the zoological park. I know that may sound like an odd statement, but in a place that gets pretty darn cold in the winter, kudos to the planners for constructring amazing inside areas for the animals and the guests there to see them!
We made sure to devote several hours to this trip, and we got to see just about everything - other than the aquarium, because it was super congested for some reason - even took the time to ride the "ski-lift" over the animal habitats, which was kind of terrifying, but fun too! =) -
Review from Stacia M.
Redwood City, CA
9/29/2010
Was there over the summer when I was visiting family in Nebraska. Last time I was there was when I was maybe 10...so wasn't sure what to expect, but I was not disappointed.
First we went to the Madagascar exhibit, and the main area was enclosed in netting, so there was nothing between us and the lemurs. The attendant had waited until a few of us had gathered and started using a clicker and dispensing treats. All the lemurs came jumping over at once, and the people in the front row were literally within a few feet of them. Really a cool exhibit and great to be that close to the animals. They also had some nocturnal exhibits, so just be sure to take your time with the rooms you might otherwise think were empty.
The butterfly area is great as well. Lots of butterflies and I think moths as well that you would never otherwise see. And, while I do not like anything with more than 4 legs, I have to give them credit for their bug area. While most of the critters were behind glass, they actually told you not to worry about the spiders and webs that were a a few feet above you, yes right out in the open (apparently that particular spider doesn't leave its web...or so they say). So again, a more open exhibit that I found really cool.
There's too much to cover, but suffice it to say that everything was great...the big cats, rhinos, desert area, and even the wild boars. I'm 29, and having not been to a zoo in nearly 15 years, I can say that this zoo has something for everyone regardless of your age or knowledge of the animals. I had a blast and look forward to my next trip. -
Review from Url R.
Chicago, IL
Impressive collection of creatures especially the aquarium. I definitely recommend spending time in the rain forest exhibit as there are animals in here that are tough to spot, but amazing to see in a somewhat natural habitat.
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Review from Sarah G.
5/18/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Everyone else is reviewing the zoo, so I thought this would be a good time to [finally] write my zoo review.
I won't go into all the details, because this could easily expand to a review so long that no-one would want to read it, but as you can imagine since I've lived in Omaha for over 15 years I've been to the zoo my share of times for class trips, family visits, and those random days when I have any excuse to go.
No one denies the fantasticness of HDZ attractions like the jungle, aquarium, desert dome, etc, here are out favorite lesser-known parts and things to do:
- feeding the koi and monkeys on the bridge
- visiting the petting zoo goats
- watching the sea lions
- reading the information cards
- taking detailed pictures
- walking
- visiting the second-newest exhibits
- early morning visits
- animal feedings (the fruit bats in the lied jungle)
- seeing the sloth move (once)
- visiting the nursery -
Review from Isabelle L.
Wheeling, IL
5/31/2011
This is an outstanding zoo and actually with a rather cheap entrance fee for the experience being offered. If you are visiting Omaha, with or without kids, this is a must do on your itinerary but be ready to spend 4 to 5 hours without even realizing. The quality of the exhibits is excellent. The top attractions are numerous: aquarium, cat complex, orangutan forest, gorillas, lemurs, desert life, night life.... Highly educational and enjoyable.
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Review from Claire B.
Omaha, NE
8/3/2011
This zoo is amazing - it hardly needs another review. It will get 5 stars when the cats are in a better home . . .
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Review from Krsna V.
7/10/2009
This should be their caption : "The Henry Doorly zoo: where it is quite alright to throw slices of white bread at monkeys".
We love going on roadtrips just to vist zoos. This july 4th weekend we decided to visit the zoo in Omaha.
The Henry Doorly Zoo boasts the world's largest indoor rainforest. It is grand, indeed. Three levels of rainforest where you walk through each level and learn a lot. It was the best indoor rainforest I've visited. The desert dome is another major attraction. However, it is not as impressive as the rainforest.
The best part of this zoo is the nocturnal exhibit. I love bats and I had a field day here. I have never seen so many alligators in one zoo. The nocturnal exhibit alone deserves 5 stars.
The only reason I give the zoo less than 5 stars is because of the zookeepers. I saw people throwing slices of white bread at the lemurs. I understand there are stupid trashy people everywhere, but it is the responsibility of the zookeepers to stop such behavior. I complained to two zookeepers about this incident and they both said it is ok to throw white bread at the monkeys.
WTF?? Don't these people get any training before working at the zoo? I am sure your children would like to be pelted with slices of white bread while they are helplessly trying to understand what the fuck is wrong with these stupid humans. I understand there is an abundance of trashy people at this zoo, but isn't it the responsibility of the zookeepers to keep the animals safe? If this is acceptable behavior, I wonder what else goes on in this zoo.
5 stars for the zoo. 1 star for irresponsible zookeepers. Averages to 3 stars. -
Review from Daniel D.
Colorado Springs, CO
4/15/2010
We came to Omaha for the Henry Doorly Zoo and it exceeded my expectations.
We went on a Thursday and the zoo was busy, but not overcrowded.
The exhibits are very well organized and the variety of animals was wonderful. I saw a few animals I have never seen at other zoos I have been to.
I really enjoyed the Desert Dome where some of the animals roam free. The aquarium was a nice surprise (as most aquariums are separate from the zoo). The Lied Jungle was huge and being follow by the stingray in the small pond was unique! And the Cat Complex actually lets you get up close to the cats - if it weren't for the glass, you could practically pet the lions!
Make sure you go early (we spent 2 hours in the Desert Dome alone) and bring comfortable shoes! This has to be the best zoo I have visited.Listed in: Cool places to go while in…
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Review from Zachary Sam Z.
Seattle, WA
11/24/2008
It really takes going to a crap zoo (not to name any... Pittsburgh) where the animals have tiny cages and all look completely depressed to realize how *awesome* the zoo is in Omaha.
Many of the features at the Henry Doorly Zoo are the biggest of their kind in the US. If they aren't, they're second only to San Diego. Omaha has above average wealth per capita, and *lots* of people donate here.
Definitely scope out the the indoor jungle. There's so much to see that you could spend 90 minutes in here alone. On a hot day, the aquarium is a great way to beat the heat (plus you get to see puffins!). Desert Dome (and Kingdom of the Night underneath the dome), the Gorilla Valley - lots of HUGE, interesting exhibits that can keep you occupied all day.
The thing I hate most about coming home each year at Christmas is that the zoo is closed, so I don't get to stop by as often as I'd like. Sometime soon I'll have to go back and see what has been updated.
EDIT 2010: The zoo is NOT closed during the winter! I have no idea what I was thinking when I wrote that part of the review, and I'm looking forward to stopping by when I'm home this year (despite the cold).Listed in: My Omaha Top 10
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Review from Ali R.
San Francisco, CA
4/23/2008
This place rocks. This zoo is more of a hands on type zoo than a lot out there. They have different sections (like the Desert Dome or the Rain forest) where you walk in and it's mostly open exhibits. The Desert Dome smells like lizards. The rain forest is humid and you walk on dirt trails and can climb up through trees. I haven't been to a lot of zoos but this one is up there on the list.
I was entertained, I learned a lot and I got some great walking in.
The only negatives (and I think it's due to the time of year) were that the petting zoo was closed. BIG SAD FACE. Also, there were a number of empty exhibits.Listed in: Sunshine!
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Review from Travis W.
Yankton, SD
7/9/2011
Great place to spend the day with your family. My kids love to visit the Rainforest area and Dessert Dome. The zoo staff is friendly and does a great job of taking care of the grounds and animals. Put on your walking shoes because there is a lot to see. You can enjoy lunch in the zoo or bring your own with. Some families bring a cooler in the stroller or wagon. This helps keep the cost of food down but we've always ate in the zoo. There are some big hills to walk but worth every minute. The zoo seems to always being adding on so you seem to deal with construction. Not a terrible thing they do a good job to keep it front getting in the way of your visit but always seem like we have construction going on. We visit a couple times a year. The last time we visited was June 2011 on Father's Day. It was busy but the crowds were still low enough we could enjoy the visit.
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Review from Amy C.
Omaha, NE
7/8/2011
I love this zoo! One of the best I've ever been to. They have so many exhibits and they are always updating. I don't even have kids or anything, I'll go by myself with my camera! I can't wait to go through the outside lemur exhibit and ride the skyfari.
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Review from Charlie K.
St. Petersburg, FL
5/5/2010
Does the phrase "most awesome zoo ever" perk your interest?
Good, because it is. I live in Florida near a couple of zoos (not to mention the local wildlife living on the coast. I've also been to the San Diego Zoo and outside of nature itself, the Henry Doorly is the most impressive.
There is something for everyone here. Whether it's big cats, an aquarium, swamp critters, desert birds, or an indoor rainforest. They've even got a butterfly garden (if you're in to that sort of thing).
My only dissappointment was the big cats exhibit. Granted it was cold and most of them were being kept indoors which, but it was kind of depressing. I equated it to being similar to catching a grasshopper as a kid and putting it in a jar with a stick and some leaves to "simulate it's natural habitat". Cement floors and maybe a tree to climb on.
In any case, definitely an amazing experience and It's worth a trip to Omaha just to see this place. -
Review from John G.
Albuquerque, NM
1/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Zoo? This isn't a zoo. This is a wonderful place where, for a small fee, you can see animals from all over the world in simulated recreations of their natural habitats, animals that are rare, dangerous, or inaccessible, often in controlled habitats that mimic the preferred climate conditions of said animal. Alright, so I guess technically it is a zoo. But it is THE zoo. I've been to the San Diego, DC, Kansas City, Topeka, Wichita, Phoenix, and Albuquerque zoos, and the Omaha zoo blows them away. The number of exhibits is staggering, most of them well-designed and innovative, offering unique vantage points on the animals. The park itself is immense and beautiful in the summer (a bit less so in the waning months), but offers a number of in-park transportation options to make the hike a bit more palatable.
The indoor exhibits are really what make the park spectacular though. The Desert Dome, the Rain Forest, and the Aquarium all simulate the environment of the animals so convincingly that as you proceed through these climate-controlled exhibits, you really get the feeling that you are in, and not simply looking at, the natural habitat of the critters. In the case of the aquarium, this feat is particularly impressive. Here, you get to walk through a curving glass tube that goes through and under the water. Large sharks, tuna, manta rays swim all around you, as though you are in the tank with them. This is clearly the centerpiece of the aquarium, but the other of its individual exhibits are just as beautiful and mesmerizing, although on a much smaller scale. The rain forest offers two stories of winding trails through a wonderfully realistic rain forest in which it is easy to forget that the environment you are in has been artificially created. Animals seem close enough to touch, birds fly around above your head, it really makes quite a difference to be able to see animals without having glass or cages in between. You get the same kind of experience from the Desert Dome, where artificial barriers are kept to a minimum. (The Madagascar exhibit, unfortunately, was closed we we went.)
The indoor exhibits for the gorillas, large cats, butterflies, reptiles, nighttime creatures, and whatever else I happen to forget, are each among the best, if not the best, that I've seen. These exhibits are so numerous and large that the last time we went, which was in the winter, we only looked at the indoor exhibits (at least three of which happened to be closed) and were able to fill an afternoon.
For the price, I would wager it is impossible to get a better deal on a zoo. I'm not sure there is a better zoo, and the cost of admission is rather low for any zoo. Of course, the parking and the food on grounds is less than brilliant, but that is to be expected I think. I certainly don't go to a zoo for a fine meal, and parking is never great at popular places. (Though, I will say that when I visited this winter, the parking lot was surprisingly empty and I managed to find a spot just a few hundred feet from the main entrance.) So, pack some snacks and once you're inside you'll forget all about the parking. The zoo is well worth the time, cost, and frustration in parking. -
Review from Lisa J.
San Francisco, CA
8/14/2009
This zoo will blow you away. The indoor rain forest is so much better than the one we have at the Academy of Sciences! Its huge and tall and its like you are really in the tropics. The Desert Dome was very impressive and they also have a wonderful, huge orangutan exhibit where the animals seem really happy. The tigers did not seem happy in their pen as they were waiting their turn on the rotating schedule to "freedom" in the large outdoor enclosure. The lions seemed the happiest because they had a mate to hang with but I did not like seeing a few very unhappy pacing cats.
I don't normally frequent Omaha Nebraska but the zoo was the best thing Omaha has to offer. We were there for a conference and were so impressed with the zoo we even went back one last day right before our flight home. I was completely in love with their baby gorilla and the amazingly huge gorilla exhibit. You can get face to face with them because they can come right up the the plexiglass. The baby played with us and followed us through the long, meandering exhibit. She stuck her tongue out at us, stood on her head, and generally charmed us so much that it was hard to leave her! The gorillas in Omaha gave me an experience of a lifetime that I will never forget. If you ever find yourself stuck in Nebraska, hide out at the zoo and you will forget that you are in Middle America where there's nothin else to do but read your bible and make babies. -
Review from Bryan H.
Omaha, NE
9/9/2008
To be fair, I find zoos sad. What is up with us locking up other animals so we can look at them and buy a tshirt? It is super ironic that folks here seem to have very little knowledge or curiosity for the wonders of their own backyard.
However, the nocturnal section was really cool to look at. The problem is that the day we went (a Saturday) it was soooo crowded that it was really uncomfortable. Trashy folks screaming at their 15 kids, being pushed along in a mob of people, seeing stressed out animals in concrete prisons... I guess it is just is not my thing.
My advice- save your money and conscious and head to DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge instead. No crowds and you can observe animals that live here in their habitat, without cages. This experience is way more educational and interactive than just spotting something in a cage. -
Review from Ryan t.
Omaha, NE
11/13/2007
When I saw the movie Biodome with Pauley Shore and one of those Baldwin brothers, I didn't think Biodomes actually existed. That is, until I went to the Doorly Zoo and saw one filled with desert animals.
This zoo is better than any other zoo I've been to in the US, except the San Diego Zoo, and I've been to a lot of damn zoos. Trust. The penguin exhibit, rain forest, gorillas, and aquarium are all amazing. Check it out.Listed in: You have 48 hours in Omaha -…
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Review from Charles G.
Omaha, NE
10/1/2008
Henry Doorly is excellent, excellent, excellent. And I HATE zoos. (They make me feel like weeping.)
The rain forest, gorillas, desert dome (mmm...hot dry pee smell), and "creatures of the night" are my favorites. Our kids love the place. We have a pass, so we go and hang out for a couple of hours and leave, which is the optimum way to experience zoos (and museums), IMHO.
It's only going to get better, too. -
Review from Christine B.
Omaha, NE
5/26/2010
I haven't been to the zoo in close to 10 years. When you're in Omaha, you tend to forget these local places. Anyhow, some friends were in from Australia so I took them to the "must see" destination in Omaha.
Lied Jungle definitely gets high marks for their indoor rain forest experience. It also feels a bit more humane and less zoo-like if it seems the animals have some measure of freedom.
The aquarium also ranks right up there. The design of the tunnel area never ceases to amaze. Oh if only I had a million dollars to host a cocktail party or adult sleepover...
The monkeys were hilarious. We stood around for quite awhile watching the antics of these primates as they swung around on ropes, climbed up the netting and almost seemed to interact with us visitors. For a brief moment, had a little Planet of the Apes feeling going on.
I would agree with the other Yelp reviews who were disappointed by the cat display. I too was horrified by the living conditions of these beautiful animals. My guests were also saddened to see these large cats housed in small, concrete rooms...especially after visiting the jungle, aquarium, aviary and butterfly pavilion.
Hating to end on a negative note, positive marks for the new Skyfari. Let's face it...on a hot, muggy afternoon, it's nice to be able to hitch a ride from the back end of the zoo back to the start. I really appreciate the zoo only charging $2 a ride (when they could probably get away with charging more).
The visit was good, but not great. It'll probably be another 10 years before I visit the zoo again. The next time I have visitors, we might swing over to the botanical gardens instead. -
Review from Christina K.
Omaha, NE
5/17/2010 6 photos
As far as zoos go this place rocks! My boyfriend took me here when we went to go visit his family and I have to say this zoo was so much fun!
The price was cheap compared to your typical San Diego prices which was awesome! They had so many animals, many animals I haven't seen in the average zoo. They had this exhibit called the desert dome. That was awesome! As well as many other exhibits.
If you happen to be in the Omaha area this zoo is a stop you have to make! -
Review from John K.
Omaha, NE
5/17/2010
I love this Zoo.
I've been here so many times and every time I come back it's like theres so much that's new. It doesn't ever seem to be too crowded and it's surprisingly cheap.
Hmm... let's see you have...
-17,000 animals
-Lied Jungle (One of the largest indoor rainforests in the world)
-Kingdom of the Seas Aquarium
-Desert Dome (Largest indoor desert in the world)
-Kingdoms of the Night (Underneath the Desert Dome is the world's largest nocturnal animal exhibit)
-Hubbard Gorilla Valley
-Cat Complex (largest in North America)
-Lions, Tigers, Bears
There's even an IMAX! We watched an awesome undersea movie the last time we were there. This place is the best.
This place is always a blast, and if you don't think so then you need to shut up because you're stupid and I hope a bear eats you.
